Mickelson invites Matsuyama to join LIV Golf as feud with PGA Tour continues

05 June 2023 , 17:11

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Phil Mickelson invited Hideki Matsuyama to join LIV Golf (Image: LIV Golf/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Phil Mickelson has invited fellow Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama to join LIV Golf, as the American star continues his bitter feud with the PGA Tour.

Mickelson became the biggest name to join LIV Golf las summer, and infamously defended his and the breakaway circuit's relationship with Saudi Arabia to 'gain leverage' over the PGA Tour. Since leaving the Tour in which he was a member of for over 30 years, the six-time major winner has not held back with his criticism.

Once one of the PGA Tour's biggest stars, Mickelson has played a bigger role than most players in LIV's ongoing battle with the American-based circuit, as the two compete to be the sport's leading tour.

Along with Mickelson, a number of star-studded players chose to make the Saudi switch last summer, and the 52-year-old is keen to bring in another. His latest jibe came when offering 2021 Masters champion Matsuyama a place on the LIV roster and his own HyFlyers team.

After Sunday's Memorial Tournament in Ohio, Matsuyama was seen boarding budget airline Spirit Airlines. Fans were quick to point out the multi-millionaire's low cost travel option, especially after the Japanese reportedly turned down an offer to join the riches of LIV Golf last summer.

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One man who noticed the image on social media was Mickelson, and in response offered the former green jacket player a spot on his LIV team. He tweeted: "This isn’t how the HYFLYERS FLY. Hideki should come fly with us."

Following his Matsuyama invite, Mickelson also claimed the the breakaway circuit would be perfect for one of its biggest critics in Rory McIlroy. McIlroy and Mickelson have been two of the most active players in the middle of golf's civil war, and have both staunchly defended their sides.

Phil Mickelson has been a big critic of the PGA Tour (Getty Images)

In recent months the Northern Irishman had admitted his continuous work off the course amid the ongoing feud has seemingly taken it's toll off it, having missed the cut at the Masters before taking a four-week break. Mickelson was quick to point out that the relaxed schedule would be ideal for McIlroy, but this was certainly not an offer to join, hitting out at the four-time major winner's criticism of the LIV setup.

Holding no punches, Mickelson wrote: "As worn out as Mclroy was after the Masters and his need for an off season, LIV would be perfect for him. Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs."

Joshua Lees